History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 174

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 174

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Mr. Bassett is a quiet, retiring man of unassuming manners. He is in accord with the better class of the community in all matters tending to advance or improve the interests of his native town. Republican in politics, he has sedulously avoided public position, but steadily worked for his party. He was commis- sioned justice of the peace by Governor Washburn. Intelligent, thoughtful, fond of investigation, he keeps himself thoroughly informed on all matters of public moment, and ever gives his support and assistance to those movements his careful proving shows to be for the public weal. It is from such men and through such men that the perpetuity of republican institu- tions is assured in this country. No idea of personal advancement or striving for political notoriety swerves them from following the right, as it is given them to know the right, and it is a satisfaction to record that the class of which he is a good type is not a small one, but embraces the truly patriotic and thinking men all over our land. Kind in his domestic rela- tions, a valued friend, and a prized and estimable citizen, he is a safe counselor and worthily stands high in the esteem of his townsmen.

FRANKLIN LEACHI.

We find the first American ancestor of the Leach family of Bridgewater, Lawrence Leach, who came from England and settled in Salem, where he was made frecman in 1631. He was over fifty years of age when he came to this country, and had, by his wife Elizabeth, quite a family in England, most of whom accompanied him here. Among his children were John, James, Clement, Robert, Richard, and Giles.

Giles2, born in Salem, 1632, went as a young man to Weymouth, where, in 1656, he married Anne Noakes or Nokes. He resided there until 1664, when he removed to Bridgewater, and became a permanent resident of this town. He had numerous children, of whom John was probably the first-born in this town. John3, by his wife Alice, had ten children, and died in 1774. Nehemiah 4, born 1709, married, first, Mercy Staples, and had two children ; sccond, Ruth (?) Bryant, of Plympton. By second wife he had nine children, of whom James 5, born in 1737, married Hazadiah, daughter of Robert Keith, in 1765, and had ten children, of whom Apollos was second son. Apollos7 married, in 1796, Chloe, daughter of Christopher, and granddaughter of Wil- liam Dyer, who settled in Bridgewater prior to 1699, and was surveyor, juror, and constable, in 1708. They had six children,-Philo, Sarah, Olive, Daniel, Franklin, and Philander. Mr. Leach was a farmer and carpenter, which trade he followed for many years, and was noted for the good quality of his work. An unpretentious man of industry and moral worth, he enjoyed the esteem, confidence, and friend- ship of the community, and died in October, 1832.

Franklin Lcach (eighth generation), son of Apollos and Chloe (Dyer) Leach, was born in Scotland, Bridgewater, Mass., Jan. 14, 1809. He had common- school and academic advantages of education ; learned the carpenter's trade of his father, and worked with him. On attaining his majority he became connected in business with his oldest brother, Philo. With him for some years, and afterwards alone,' he has worked as carpenter and builder over half a century. During these years he has pursued his trade in New Bedford, Fairhaven, Raynham, Taunton, Holbrook, Brockton, and Boston, as well as Bridgewater, where, for several years, he was in the employ of the cotton-gin works. Naturally ingenious and of a mechanical turn of mind, he has put genuine love into his labor, and even now, though seventy five years of age, does much work in which younger men would take pride. Prudent, diligent, economical, and persevering, his labors have been rewarded with well-earned competency. He

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HISTORY OF BRIDGEWATER.

has also been somewhat of a farmer, but has never desired to follow that avocation. He has taken great interest in militia matters ; was elected captain, and commissioned March 21, 1835 ; commissioned major, July 18, 1836 ; commissioned colonel. Dec. 13, 1838, and honorably discharged March 7, 1840. He was first commissioned justice of the peace by Governor Boutwell. Aug. 24. 1852. and still holds the office. Whig and Republican in politics, he has held various minor town offices, and served conscientiously in them. He has been a Freemason since 1856; has | been Worshipful Master of Fellowship Lodge, Bridge- water. for three years ; received his chapter degress at Mount Zion Chapter, Stoughton, Mass .. in 1857, aud is now affiliated with Harmony Chapter, R. A. M .. Bridgewater. He married. Nov. 13, 1832, Mary. daughter of Isaac and Mary ( Hayward) Fobes. They have had three children,-Olive F. (died aged six years), Mary F. (married James R. Tracy, of Raynham, and has two children, Huldah M. and Louise M.). and Susan M. (married Henry J. Clarke, Esq., of Webster, and has one child).

Mrs. Leach is a descendant in the seventh genera- tion from John Fobes, an original proprietor of Bridgewater, the line being John 1, Edward2, John3, Josiah4. Alpheus5, Isaac6. Isaac Fobes, born in 1789, was a machinist and farmer. After working at his trade in various places he returned to Scot- land, where he died. June 22, 1855. He married, first, Mary, daughter of Timothy Hayward; second, Olive, daughter of Edward Mitchell, and widow of Dr. Rufus Walker. Mr. Fobes was an intelligent genealogist and antiquarian, devoting much time in his later years to researches in that direction. He was a Congregationalist in religious belief, possessed a handsome property, and was a valued citizen.

Mr. and Mrs. Leach have been for many years members of Trinity Episcopal Church, Mr. Leach being warden for several years, vestryman at present, and one of its trustees for a long time. Col. Leach and his wife have during their fifty-one years of con- nubial felicity practiced the cardinal virtues of dili- gence and industry. To the outside world these years of their life have been uneventful, but to them each year has brought both sad and pleasant occur- rences. One of the most pleasant of these was on the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage (Nov. 13, 1882), when their descendants and a large circle of relatives and friends gathered at the home they had occupied for half a century to celebrate their golden wedding, bringing many gifts of love and friendship. Another was the marriage in Raynham of their granddaughter, Huldah M. Tracy, to Rev. Winfield

W. Hall (a Methodist Episcopal clergyman), on the fifty-first anniversary of their marriage (Nov. 13, 1883). All along life's pathway have all laudable charities met with a hearty response from them, and a generous hospitality been a characteristic of their home. They are now passing down the declivity of life with the esteem of a large circle of friends, and leading lives that their descendants may worthily emulate.

STILLMAN 0. KEITH.

The Keith families are descended from Robert, chieftain of the Calti, who, having joined Malcolm Second at the battle of Panbridge, in 1006, was in- strumental in gaining a great victory over the Danes, and slew with his own hand Camus, the Danish leader, which, King Malcolm perceiving, he dipped his spear into the blood and made three strokes or pales on the top of Robert's shield, and these have been the arms of his descendants. In 1010 he was advanced to the hereditary dignity of marshal of Scotland, and re- warded with a barony in Lothian, called field-marshal. The first American ancestor of the Keith family was the Rev. James Keith, who came over from Scotland about the year 1662. He was educated at Aberdeen, but being only about eighteen years old he had not completed his studies when he came to Bridgewater ; but he proved an efficient and faithful servant of the Lord. He was settled and ordained Feb. 18, 1664. He possessed the spirit of a Christian hero, and proved himself to be peculiarly qualified for the trying cir- cumstances under which he was placed when, twelve years after his settlement, Bridgewater seemed about to be extirpated by the savages. By his strong, cour- ageous spirit and teachings he inspired the people with the same spirit and courage, and they were suc- cessful in subduing their savage enemy. Rev. James Keith was highly esteemcd throughout the colony, his praise was in all the churches. In the year 1688, when the proprietors of Bridgewater petitioned the General Court at Plymouth for an enlargement of their territory, their request was granted on this con- dition, showing their kind regard and estimation of Mr. Keith : "That the said town of Bridgewater be careful to accommodate Mr. Keith with a competency of land," and though they had given him a house and twelve acres of land, they further made him a fifty- sixth shareholder in the township. Rev. James Keith was probably the first to sound the alarm in regard to intemperance in this country, for even as early as the beginning of the seventeenth century the

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

evil showed itself. He ministered fifty six years over the same church, and died July 23, 1719, aged seventy-six years.

STILLMAN O. KEITH, son of Benjamin and Lucy (Fobes) Keith, was born in Scotland, Bridgewater, Jan. 13, 1827. He is a descendant from Rev. James Keith, in the seventh generation, the line being James1, Samuel2, Benjamin3, Benjamin 4, Benjamin 5, Stillman6. His father was a farmer, a quiet unosten- tatious man, kind and unobtrusive, industrious, and a good citizen, pursuing the even tenor of his way. His religious belief was that of the Congregational- ists. He died Sept. 18, 1879, at the age of eighty- four. The children of Benjamin and Lucy (Fobes) Keith were Stillman, Royal, and Lucia: (Mrs. Simon Burnett). Stillman's education was at the common schools. At the age of nineteen he went to learn the carpenter's trade with Ebenezer Shaw, of Middleboro', he remained there three years. In 1850, he went to Boston, and after working at his trade a year or two he entered into partnership with C. C. Howard, by whom he had been employed. They erected several buildings and stores, and continued together doing a

good business, until his health failed, when he re- turned to Scotland, where he remains to this day, oc- cupying a portion of his father's farm, Since his return to this place he has dealt in real estate quite largely, owning and renting several stores and tene- ments in Brockton.

On Dec. 29, 1856, Mr. Keith married Clara W., daughter of Col. Oliver and Diana (Eaton) Eaton, of Middleboro'. Mrs. Keith comes also of an carly and prominent New England family, and her father has, during a long life of over eighty years, filled honestly and satisfactorily important public trusts. Both her parents are still living in North Middleboro', at very advanced ages, cherished and beloved by all who know them.

Mr. Keith is a pleasant, social companion, retiring and unassuming, possesses good taste, evidenced by the attractiveness of his home and its surroundings. He is prized by his townsmen as a good citizen, pub- lic-spirited, and industrious. He takes no part in politics, other than to support with his vote the Re- publican party. Devoting himself to business, he has acquired a handsome competency.

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HISTORY OF EAST BRIDGEWATER.

BY WILLIAM ALLEN.

CHAPTER I.

Topography of the Town-Rivers-Ponds-Indians - First Settlers-Incorporation of the East Precinct-Villages and Localities-Elmwood Village-Beaver Village-Satucket- Northville -Eastville-Curtisville - Matfield - Auburnville -Post-Offices-Tax-payers, 1729-Assessment for 1757-As- sessment for 1778.

Topography of the Town .- East Bridgewater is situated in the northwest part of Plymouth County ; latitude 42° 1' 8"; longitude 70° 57' 29". The township, scventeen miles from Plymouth and twenty- five miles from Boston, is nearly square. From the most northwesterly point to the extreme southeast cor- ner it is six miles, the centre of its territory, in a direct line from north to south and from east to west, being two miles from the borders of the town. Pre- vious to the incorporation of South Abington, in 1875, and the annexation of a part of East Bridge- water to Brockton, the same year, it contained eighteen and one-seventh square miles. Its present limits em- brace somewhat more than sixteen square miles.

The town of East Bridgewater, the original territo- rial centre of Bridgewater at the time of the purchase of Bridgewater from the Indians, was incorporated June 14, 1823. Though its incorporation as a town is of a comparatively recent date, it was settled as early as 1660.

The town is generally level, with no high hills, but several tracts of elevated land.

Rivers .- There are several rivers and brooks, which furnish considerable water-power. The lowlands are naturally very productive, and with care yield abund- ant harvests. Of the rivers, the principal ones are . the Satucket, in the southeasterly part, and the Mat- field (named from an Indian who once lived near it), not far from the westerly side of the town. These two rivers unite at the south point of the " Whitman Neck," and, passing into Bridgewater, join there with Town River and form Taunton River. The Satucket River rises in the northeast part of Halifax, flows 53

through Monponset and Stump Ponds in Halifax, and Robin's Pond in East Bridgewater, receives Poor Meadow River, rising in the northwesterly part of Hanson, and flows southwest, increased by Black Brook, whose course is directly south.

Matfield River, formerly called John's River (so named from John Howard, who once lived in Elm- wood), is formed by the union of Salisbury River, which rises in Stoughton and passes through Brock- ton into East Bridgewater on the west border, Beaver Brook, which rises in Holbrook, flows through Brock- ton, and enters East Bridgewater near its extreme northerly point, and Snell Meadow Brook, which, rising in Abington and flowing through South Abing- ton, enters East Bridgewater on the north side.

Ponds .- In the southeast corner of the town, near Halifax, is a lake called "Robin's Pond." It is a fine sheet of water covering about a hundred and twenty-five acres. A little north of the centre of the pond is a small island, which, with an abundance of trees and vines, is a favorite resort of pleasure parties, who in the mild season come in great numbers to enjoy this cool retreat. One circumstance connected with this body of water is worth mention. Ever since the first visit to it by a white man, and from what could be learned by tradition from the Indians, although many people have been attracted hither in summer, and in winter also, until a very recent date, it is not known that any person ever was drowned in it. At a picnic on the island, July 19, 1882, a severe tempest occurred. Frank B. Howard, of West Bridge- water, aged twenty-nine years, was sailing in a boat with several companions, when the boom swinging round struck him on the head and knocked him into the water. The blow was so violent that he was ren- dered senseless, and in a few moments sank. The body was not recovered till seven hours afterwards. This is the only instance known of a death by drown- ing in this pond.

Formerly the number of alewives, or herring, that

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

passed up Satucket River and spawned in Robin's Pond was very large. Shad seemed to prefer Mat- field River, and a shad weir was located on that stream, not far from the bridge of the Bridgewater Branch Railroad. The herring weir on Satucket River, built by the aborigines, perhaps hundreds of years ago, still remains much the same as when the last Indian placed his net to eateh the nimble fish as they darted along through the stony sluice, which might well be ealled a race-way. For more than two hundred years, since the ereetion and running of mills, this perhaps only surviving structure here- abouts, built by the dusky owners of the soil, has been out of sight, except as when the water of the stream was drawn off for a short time in the spring of each year to permit the herring to pass up and down the stream, or repairs or building operations might re- quire the water of the pond to be let off. Since 1819 mills have not been stopped on account of the fisheries, and herring have nearly eeased their visits in this vicinity, and the Indians' Dam has seldom been visible.

Indians .- The name Saughtuckquett (or Satucket, as it is now spelt), applied to this territory, appears to signify " the place where rivers meet." Relies of Indian handicraft have from time to time been dis- covered in digging cellars or plowing the land. Ar- row-heads, axes, hatchets, mortars, pestles, etc., have been found near Robin's Pond, on Wonnocooto Hill, where the deed of land sold by the Indians was signed, and particularly on lands along the rivers. On the north bank of Snell Meadow Brook there ap- pears to have been an especial place for the manu- facture of Indian implements. Near Robin's Pond is a small hill, now covered with forest-trees, which was once the general burial-ground of the natives here, but skeletons of Indians have occasionally been exhumed in other parts of the town. About thirty rods north of the ancient weir is a piece of ground now covered with trees, which once was a cleared place, where the Indians apparently used to engage in their festivities.

In the Revolutionary war several of the Indians of this town served in the Continental army. One of them, Robert Pegin, died in 1815. He was the last full-blooded Indian who has died here. The last marriages of Indians in this town occurred Jan. 1, 1830. The nuptials took place in the parlor of the dwelling-house of the late Mr. Ezra Alden. The writer, then a pupil of the late Rev. Baalis Sanford, was present, and witnessed the ceremonies. Of the happy couples united on this occasion, one was Isaac Wood, son of Samuel Wood, a Revolutionary soldier,

and Luey Sepit. The other, Joseph A. Sizar (black ) and Susanna S. Wood, a sister of Isaac Wood. The last of the aboriginal race here, at or near the elose of 1843, had either died or removed from town.

First Settlers .- The first white settler in East Bridgewater appears to have been Samuel Allen, Jr., who came from East Braintree as early as 1660, and ereeted a house on the east side of Matfield River, near where the Bridgewater Branch Railroad erosses that stream. He was the second town clerk of Bridge- water from 1683 to 1702, and a deacon of the church. His large landed estate extended from Matfield River to and included the greater part of the Centre Village, the burial-ground, the common, and the plain. En- sign Josiah Standish is said to have resided in East Bridgewater a few years following its settlement. If so, he may have lived in the same house with Samuel Allen, who was his brother-in-law.

In 1662, Nicholas Byram arrived here from Wey- mouth, and built a house near Snell Meadow Brook, where Jotham Hicks now lives. This spot was in later times known as " the Capt. Whitman place," Capt. Isaac Whitman having resided there many years. Mr. Byram had five shares of the whole fifty- six into which the town of Bridgewater was divided, making an estate larger than that of any other pro- prietor.

.The same year (1662) Thomas Whitman came from Weymouth. He was born in England about 1629, was a son of John Whitman, who settled, lived, and died in Weymouth, and son-in-law of Nicholas Byram, whose daughter, Abigail, he had married in 1656. His first house, it has been said, was built a few rods south of where Irving Bates now lives, near Matfield River. This house was burned by the Indians, and he built another near Satucket River, on land a little south of Clark Swallow's residence. It is not fully decided whether the first house was really near Mat- field or Satucket River. The late Deacon Josiah Whitman, a descendant of Thomas, assured me it was on Matfield River.

Thomas Whitman died in 1712, having lived fifty years in East Bridgewater. He built another house, whether second or third, where Clark Swallow now lives. He had a large estate, most of it in the form of a triangle, between Satucket and Matfield Rivers.

The fourth settler was Robert Latham, who came from Marshfield about 1663, and built a house near Satucket River, directly south of the herring weir. He was an enterprising man (had in Marshfield held the important office of constable), and soon after set- tling here erected a saw-mill on Satucket River, a few rods below the weir.

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HISTORY OF EAST BRIDGEWATER.

The next settler was William Brett. He was son of Elder William Brett, of West Bridgewater (whether he was born in England or in Duxbury is not known), was a deacon of the church and a valuable citizen. His house was near where Spring Street and Joseph M. Loucroft's brick-yard now are.

Of the first five houses thus far mentioned, that of Robert Latham was burned by the Indians on Sun- day, April 9, 1676. Three other houses were, ac- cording to tradition, burned in the course of King Philip's war, all probably some time previous to the close of 1676. The only one not burned was that of Nicholas Byram. The Indians gave as a reason for their not burning his house that he had been kind to them and given them cider. Mr. Byram had, perhaps. the first orchard in this town, and the In- dians were not slow to appreciate the value of apples turned to such an account.

King Philip's war brought great distress upon the people here, but soon after Philip's death, which oc- curred Aug. 12, 1676, the tide of affairs began to turn ; new houses took the places of those destroyed ; additional dwellings were erected; and good cheer came in the form of money contributed by Christian friends in Ireland; " the good ship, the 'Kath- erine,' of Dublin," having been dispatched from the Emerald Isle to bring aid to the distressed colonists.

Immigrants from various places soon began to settle bere. Experience Mitchell, who had landed in Plymouth in 1623, one of the passengers in the third ship, the " Ann," and resided several years in Dux- bury, came to East Bridgewater about 1680, and with his son, Edward Mitchell, built a house in what was for many years named Joppa (now Elmwood). Jon- athan Hill came from Dorchester some time before 1685, and erected a dwelling in Elmwood, a few rods south of the Bridgewater Branch Railroad bridge over Matfield River.

Isaac Harris, son of Arthur Harris, who was one of the original proprietors of Bridgewater, came with his sons, Isaac and Samuel Harris, perhaps as carly as 1680, and settled on the north side of Satucket River, near the herring weir.

Francis and James Cary, sons of John Cary, the first town clerk of Bridgewater, settled here about 1685, Francis on the west side of Matfield River, in Elmwood, James in Beaver.

Isaac Alden settled here about 1685. He owned a large tract of land near Beaver Brook, and erected a house where Daniel N. and John Reed now live. The same year or earlier John Howard, Jr., settled in Elmwood. He lived on the Deacon Keen place.

Joseph Shaw came from Weymouth, settled in

Beaver about 1696, and built on Matfield River the first grist-mill in East Bridgewater. This water- privilege has ever since been known as Shaw's Mills. Jeremiah Newland lived some time before 1700 " on the eastward end of the Great Plain."

Joseph Washburn was settled in East Bridgewater soon after King Philip's war in what is now called Satucket, and was the ancestor of some, if not all, of the Washburns of Kingston and Plymouth ; also of the Washburns of Worcester, famed for their success in iron manufactures.

Elisha Hayward and Nathan Hayward settled in Elmwood at an early date.

Thus far have been mentioned the names of a part of the settlers in East Bridgewater prior to 1700.

The East Precinct or Parish of Bridgewater was incorporated in 1723. The names of the petitioners for an act of incorporation it has been impossible to find.

Incorporation of the East Precinct .- When that portion of Bridgewater now known as East Bridgewater voted to petition to be set off as a sepa- rate precinct, the Legislature chose a committee to inquire into the position and propriety of the same. What the petition was we have not been able to find out, but we give the doings of the Legislature, as follows, viz. :

" In Council read a first time.

" A Petition of the Inhabitants of the East End of the North Precinct in Bridgewater, showing that it was voted in the said North Precinct that they should be set off a separate Precinct when they should be able to maintain a minister, which vote, they apprehend, was countenanced, if not confirmed, by the General Court. That they now look upon themselves capable of giving an Honorable Support to a Minister, and therefore praying that they may be set off by a straight line running through the centre of the sd North Precinct, and that Thirteen families of the South Precinct may be added to them.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 174

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1706

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706